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Comment: Changed "Magic Number" to "Intentional Gift"

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Because careers change, salaries flux, investments grow and giving capacity changes, we regularly engage our donors in opportunities to lift (increase) their giving. That supporter who came on your team as a new college grad likely has a different income ten years into her career. If you've never engaged her in an increase ask, it's likely something she hasn't considered, even though she has the capacity. Encouraging your ministry partners to seek the Lord on the level of engagement He is asking them to lean into this year, yields a more robust support team and a deeper connection with them. 

How Do I Know What to Ask For? (The

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Intentional Gift amount)

Over time, we have found that you can actually calculate a "Magic Number" that an Intentional Gift amount that is an average based on your support goal. To do this:

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*If a supporter is already giving at or above your magic numberIntentional Gift amount, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to an amount to set before your supporter.

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  • Josiah: Initially, I was super afraid to ask this amount (magic number Intentional Gift of $150). It seemed like too big/ too much to ask for some of the people I was calling (like the guy who is just two years out of school). But, it's gone really well. I've been surprised. Even the people who can't do that amount, they've thanked me for asking them and have said they feel honored. Those positive responses have been really encouraging to me to keep making this ask in this way. (Raised $1,000 in new monthly in 2 months working 1.5-2 days a week on MTD.

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Expand
titleClick for additional examples from other missionaries.
  • Doug & Sarah: Our increase ask was a lot of work to connect with that many people. But, it was worth it. We asked them if they'd be willing to pray about increasing to (our magic numberIntentional Gift). We prayed before the call, asking God to tell us what we should challenge them to increase to. Maybe 1/3 of our donors increased. Our method: We made the ask. Asked them to pray. Then we followed up until we got an answer. Both required guts & time. Looking back, I wish I had been texting supporters regularly asking how I could pray for them. Example of a simple connection text to a supporter: "Hey, we're meeting with this couple tonight who is struggling. Would you pray for this meeting?"

  • Matt: My communication with my supporters before my increase ask had been lacking. I sent quarterly snail-mail prayer letters but hadn't contacted voice-to-voice in 5-7 years with some of them. Because of that, it was difficult to start calling donors. I made excuses that I hated the phone or I couldn't find a good time to call without my kids around. But, once I started calling, I found I enjoyed it. No one was upset. My supporters were just happy to hear from me. I owned that I hadn't done a good job of keeping in touch. I'd say something like, "Hey, I'm super sorry. I haven't done a good job of keeping in touch. This is my attempt to remedy that." I soon realized I needed to block out more time; increase ask calls took longer because we had a lot of catching up to do. Almost half the supporters I contacted did some sort of increase. It was definitely worth it. My method: I texted before calling. The text would say something like: "Hey, I'm going to give you a call tonight. If that doesn't work, let me know." Once on the phone with the donor, I'd spend a decent amount of time catching up. Toward the end of the call, I let them know about our support need, saying something like “Hey, we need to raise about $1,500-$2,00 a month to stay in full-time ministry ...  if you might be in a position to increase, would you prayerfully consider increasing your support?” Then I would discuss a day to follow up (usually 2 days later) and see if that worked for the person. Following up when I said I would was important. There was often multiple follow-ups I had to do. 

  • Sarah B: Using the Magic Number Intentional Gift amount in my increase ask has been helpful in thinking how many supporters I can handle while also maintaining connection with them. I appreciated putting the magic number Intentional Gift out there because it gave me the freedom to talk about my reality of wanting relationship and connection with my donors. "The reason I'm asking this amount is for the purpose of building the right team - and the right size team - to see this work accomplished." When I put my magic number Intentional Gift amount out there, people consider it! It helps me to share vision and purpose behind the magic number Intentional Gift amount I put in front of them. After Sarah shared this in a cohort, one of the other people on the call expressed concern over offending someone who can only give a small amount. He gave the example of a teacher on a small salary. Here’s how Sarah related: I've worked as a teacher on a very low salary for most of my life. The missionaries I support… well, I wish I had someone help me think through who am I investing in and what's the impact of my giving? Am I giving to these people because I feel obligated or out of a joyful heart? Am I really praying over all 8 of these missionaries as frequently as I want to? How can I put my money where my heart is? As a teacher who made very little, I would have really appreciated having one of the missionaries I supported taking the time to educate me, ask some of those questions and help me be more intentional and prayerful in my financial partnerships. PS - Remember you're inviting people into something larger than just money. You have to accept that most of the conversations you have with your supporters will be about money because you're part of a non-profit and inviting people to give generously to the Kingdom is part of your job. 

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